Best institutions to study Somatic Bodywork
A program that prepares individuals to promote physical and emotional balance and well-being through the application of skilled touch principles and techniques.
4 U.S. institutions graduated 42 Somatic Bodywork students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3503, a specialization of Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35), and leads most directly to the Massage Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 31-9011).
About Somatic Bodywork programs
A program that prepares individuals to promote physical and emotional balance and well-being through the application of skilled touch principles and techniques. Includes instruction in therapeutic massage and other hands-on touch methods, anatomy and physiology, structural/functional integration and various holistic health systems (Rolfing/Structural Integration, colon hydrotherapy, Breema, Hellerwork, lymphatic drainage, Rosen Method, hydrotherapy, and others), client counseling, practice management, and applicable regulations and professional standards.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Somatic Bodywork program, part of the broader field of Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services, prepares individuals to enhance physical and emotional well-being through skilled touch techniques. This program is ideal for those interested in therapeutic massage and holistic health practices, providing essential training for a career in health professions.
Students will gain knowledge in anatomy and physiology, various holistic health systems, and client counseling. Coursework emphasizes hands-on techniques, including therapeutic massage, structural integration, and practice management skills.
Credentials awarded
What Somatic Bodywork graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year33 graduates / yr · 3 institutions79%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years9 graduates / yr · 1 institution21%
Graduates over time
Somatic Bodywork completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 157 |
| 2013 | 150 |
| 2014 | 86 |
| 2015 | 109 |
| 2016 | 68 |
| 2017 | 73 |
| 2018 | 98 |
| 2019 | 56 |
| 2020 | 49 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2023 | 48 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 42 |
Top 4 institutions for Somatic Bodywork, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Ida Rolf Institute Boulder, COPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 100% | $38,347 | $16,723 |
| 2 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 9 | 28% | — | — |
| 3 | Center for Neurosomatic Studies Clearwater, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 73% | $46,680 | — |
| 4 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field (CIP 51.35) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 4 states
Where Somatic Bodywork graduates come from. Each state links to all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1 | 28 | Dr. Ida Rolf Institute28 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 9 | Pima Community College9 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 3 | Center for Neurosomatic Studies3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 2 | Washington University in St Louis2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-9011, Massage Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Somatic Bodywork program often pursue careers as massage therapists or health specialties teachers. With a projected job growth of 15.4% and approximately 24,700 annual openings, this field offers a promising outlook, with a median wage of $57,950 for massage therapists.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3503
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Massage Therapistsprimary SOC 31-9011 | $58,450 | +15.4% Much faster than average | ~24,700 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Somatic Bodywork programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Maintain treatment records.
Tools and technology used
Other Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35).
Common questions
What is Somatic Bodywork?+
Somatic Bodywork focuses on promoting physical and emotional balance through skilled touch techniques.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn active listening, critical thinking, and various massage techniques, along with client counseling.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as massage therapists or health specialties teachers, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15.4% and about 24,700 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Somatic Bodywork?+
Somatic Bodywork is CIP 51.3503 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to promote physical and emotional balance and well-being through the application of skilled touch principles and techniques. Includes instruction in therapeutic massage and other hands-on touch methods, anatomy and physiology, structural/functional integration and various holistic health systems (Rolfing/Structural Integration, colon hydrotherapy, Breema, Hellerwork, lymphatic drainage, Rosen Method, hydrotherapy, and others), client counseling, practice management, and applicable regulations and professional standards.
How many institutions offer Somatic Bodywork programs?+
4 U.S. institutions reported Somatic Bodywork graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 4 states, awarding 42 credentials in the year. That is 0.4% of all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates.
How much do Somatic Bodywork graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Massage Therapists occupation, which Somatic Bodywork most directly leads to, pays a median of $58,450 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field report median earnings of $16,723 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card